Lower Burrell and Upper Burrell considering collecting per capita tax quicker

Lower Burrell and Upper Burrell aren’t considering raising the $15 annual per capita tax on residents but collecting it in a shorter time frame from 11 months to six months within the same year.

Most residents in both municipalities older than 18 years of age have been paying the $15 tax, with Burrell School District receiving $10, then a resident’s home municipality receiving the other $5.

“Nothing will change in regards to the amount or look of the bill, just the new deadlines,” said Lower Burrell Councilman Chris Fabry.

Lower Burrell is proposing, requesting that Upper Burrell and the school district follow, to change the time frame for when residents pay the tax from the time period of July 1st to June 1, straddling portions of two years, to July 1 to December 31, said Lower Burrell Councilman Chris Fabry.

Changing the tax collection period from being spread out between two years to one year “is cleaner and easier for budgeting purposes,” Fabry said.

“This will allow us to have a better idea of tax income numbers for our yearly budget,” he added.

The change will also help residents, Fabry said, by eliminating duplicate payments from residents who don’t remember if they paid within the 11-month collection period. The change might also help residents who forget to pay the tax causing their account to be turned over to collections, he said.

Since the tax was agreed upon by the school district and both township years ago, the time frame for collection would have to match, Fabry said.

Upper Burrell and the school district are considering the new tax payment time schedule. Upper Burrell’s solicitor is looking into the matter, said Upper Burrell Chairman of Supervisors Ross Walker.

If Lower Burrell and Upper Burrell officially approve the new payment schedule, then the Burrell school board would consider the change, said Jennifer Callahan, Burrell’s business administrator.

Lower Burrell Council will likely vote on the proposed new payment schedule next month.